June 19th, 2016 | by VoiceCouncil

How to Become a Professional YouTuber

Harry Seaton boasts celebrity fans, a sold out UK tour, and a top 3 position in the UK singer-songwriter charts.

He tells us about his online journey from prankster to slick pop star.

What obstacles have you had to overcome for your love of singing?
A hatred of my own voice! Singing isn’t something you can learn as easily as an instrument, at least that’s what I think anyway. But I’ve learned to simply get over it. You have to remember no one else is hearing your material with your ears.

Something’s that’s worked for you in reaching a larger audience?
Genuine networking. Make friends with other creators. I hate watching collaborations where you can tell the creators don’t really know each other. You’ll see more benefit from a collaboration with someone you have a genuine relationship with.

A musical lesson you’ve learned the hard way?
The industry is full of people who don’t care about the industry. Unfortunately, not everyone is a bubbly, creative, risk-taking person. Many are business-minded, cold and impossible to work with. Choose your team wisely and only ever work with people who want to work with you. Do NOT ask for management. The best manager you’ll ever have will be the one that asks if they can manage YOU.

Most important lesson you have learned about social media?
Sometimes it’s better to bite your tongue. It’s so easy to offend people. Remember why people follow you. Do they follow you for your political views or your singing?

A tip on ‘performing’ on YouTube?
Find somewhere else to inject your personality. I love addressing the viewers beforehand. Don’t be afraid to spend a whole day getting the perfect take of one video. The beauty of pre-recorded performance is that you can make mistakes and start again. Use that to your advantage!

What equipment do you use for your videos?
Until recently I used a Canon 600D and the built in microphone, but now I use a Samsung NX500 and record my audio externally with a Tascam DR-05. I edit using Adobe Premiere Pro CC and color grade the videos slightly too.

A performance fail?
I once turned up to a gig for which I was the only performing artist, therefore the provider of the gear, without a plug for my amp. One very speedy drive home and an hour delay later and we were good to go.

A performance success?
I headlined the Barfly London and asked people to sing along to a song I’d written without doing the typical thing of telling everyone what to sing at the beginning.

The fans in attendance were clearly the best fans ever and already knew every line. That was a beautiful moment for sure

Thankfully, the fans in attendance were clearly the best fans ever and already knew every line. That was a beautiful moment for sure.

A few ingredients of a memorable vocal performance?
Everyone will probably answer vocal runs. They’re great, but hard to master. Solid harmonies are always the thing for me. I’d rather watch an artist deliver a beautiful 4 part harmony than prove how much they can vibrate their jaw every 10 seconds. Although, maybe I’m just jealous that I can’t do it…

Favorite vocal gear?
My TC Helicon VoiceTone Harmony GX-T, just because I haven’t yet mastered my VoiceLive Touch 2 yet. At which point I’m positive that will overtake it. So much on there, more than I could ever need!

Tell us about your favorite singers?
I love Hayley Williams, wow what a range she has. Andreas Moe has a voice carved by angels and Lauren Aquilina’s vocals will always win me over.

Despite first gaining a following for messing about, 19 year old singer, songwriter and YouTube, Harry Seaton is taking things far more seriously now.